Some members of Congress will see a less-redacted version of Mueller report, DOJ says

WASHINGTON – Not one, but two versions of special counsel Robert Mueller's report are planned to be released.

After the public is given a redacted version of the nearly 400-page report on Thursday, a less-redacted version would go to a "limited number of Members of Congress" for their review. It's unclear when lawmakers would be able to view the more transparent report.

"Once the redacted version of the report has been released to the public, the Justice Department plans to make available for review by a limited number of Members of Congress and their staff a copy of the Special Counsel's report without certain redactions," prosecutors wrote in a court filing on Wednesday.

The revelations were made by prosecutors in a legal filing when they replied to a request from President Donald Trump's longtime friend and political adviser Roger Stone, who was arrested in January on one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of making false statements and one count of witness tampering.

Stone has pleaded not guilty.

Last week in a flurry of legal filings, Stone's defense team argued that he and his team should be allowed an exclusive look at the Mueller report, while also arguing special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation was unconstitutional.

"The Special Counsel Report may be of political interest to many," the defense team argues in a motion to dismiss the entire case. "It may be of commercial interest to others. It may be of public interest to some. But for Roger Stone, the Special Counsel’s Report is a matter of protecting his liberty. Only by full disclosure to him, can he determine whether the Report contains material which could be critical to his defense."

Prosecutors replied, telling Stone of their plans for the report and its decimation. They wrote that the less-redacted version would not be made public or made available for all members of Congress.

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In this Oct. 17, 2016, photo, attorney Gregory Craig arrives at U.S. District Court in Washington. Lawyers for former Obama administration White House counsel Craig say they expect their client to be charged in a foreign lobbying investigation that grew out of the special counsel’s Russia probe. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

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"Rather, the Justice Department intends to secure this version of the report in an appropriate setting that will be accessible to a limited number of Members of Congress and their staff," prosecutors wrote.

While seeing more of the secretive report is a goal of lawmakers, it's likely not to appease House Democrats who have said they would subpoena the full report without any redactions.

Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein will hold news conference Thursday to discuss Mueller's report, according to a spokeswoman. Barr had previously said he would release the long-awaited report on Thursday. The news conference will be at 9:30 a.m., according to spokeswoman Kerri Kupec.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr, right, leaves his house on March 24, 2019 in McLean, Va. Barr continues to review special counsel Robert Mueller's report on alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. ALEX WONG, Getty Images

An empty hallway at the U.S. Capitol on Saturday morning, March 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. Special Counsel Robert Mueller delivered the report from his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election to Barr yesterday and Barr is expected to brief members of Congress on the report potentially as soon as this weekend. Drew Angerer, Getty Images

The U.S. Capitol is seen before sunrise, Saturday, March 23, 2019, in Washington. Special counsel Robert Mueller closed his long and contentious Russia investigation with no new charges, ending the probe that has cast a dark shadow over Donald Trump's presidency. Alex Brandon, AP

Members of the press wait outside one of the office buildings used by independent prosecutor and former FBI director Robert Mueller on March 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump went on air Friday to double down on his attempt to discredit a massive probe into his campaign's links to Russia, which is expected to be released shortly. Ever since the investigation run by independent prosecutor and former FBI director Robert Mueller began nearly two years ago Trump has insisted that it is a "witch hunt" and a "hoax." Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

A lone demonstrator departs after protesting outside the US Department of Justice March 22, 2019 in Washington, DC, shortly after the announcement that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had wrapped up his two-year investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 US election. Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

Bodyguards wait for the departure of the US attorney General outside the US Department of Justice March 22, 2019 in Washington, DC, shortly after the announcement that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had wrapped up his two-year investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 US election. Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

A copy of a letter from Attorney General William Barr advising Congress that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has concluded his investigation, is shown Friday, March 22, 2019 in Washington. Robert Mueller turned over his long-awaited final report on the contentious Russia investigation that has cast a dark shadow over Donald Trump's presidency, entangled Trump's family and resulted in criminal charges against some of the president's closest associates. Jon Elswick, AP

Journalists work outside of the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building after the announcement that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had submitted his report to Attorney General William Barr, March 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. U.S. Attorney General William Barr told the House and Senate Judiciary Committees in a letter that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had completed his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Drew Angerer, Getty Images

Attorney General William Barr leaves his home in McLean, Va., on Friday, March 22, 2019. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is expected to present a report to the Justice Department any day now outlining the findings of his nearly two-year investigation into Russian election meddling, possible collusion with Trump campaign officials and possible obstruction of justice by Trump . Jose Luis Magana, AP

President Donald J. Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Washington, DC, on March 22, 2019. The Trump administration, along with lawmakers, are awaiting the release of special counsel Robert Mueller's report into President Trump's behavior. Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA-EFE

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Special Counsel Robert Mueller arrives at his office on March 21, 2019 in Washington DC. It is expected that Mueller will soon complete his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and release his report. Mark Wilson, Getty Images

President Donald Trump, who has claimed "total exoneration" from a summary of the report, said Wednesday he may hold a news conference as well. He is scheduled to leave for a three-day weekend in South Florida by mid-afternoon Thursday, but he may speak with reporters upon departure.

"You’ll see a lot of strong things come out tomorrow," Trump told WMAL radio's Larry O'Connor show. "Attorney General Barr is going to be doing a press conference. Maybe I’ll do one after that, we’ll see.”